Lawyers will review increasing numbers of consumer inquiries generated by recent medical research study raising concerns about alleged links between anti-depressant side effects and birth defects.

Resource4thePeople announced today that its lawyers are now investigating 2013 cases from families who are inquiring about whether alleged birth defects suffered by their infants may have been caused by the use of Paxil and other, similar, anti-depressants.

"Increasing numbers of consumers have been contacting us about their legal rights in connection with the use of Paxil and other anti-depressants known as serotonin reuptake inhibitors," said Resource4thePeople.

"Therefore, our lawyers are now aggressively investigating claims that are being made by families in which the use of Paxil and other SSRIs allegedly caused birth defects in children born to mothers who used these medications while pregnant."

Resource4thePeople said that the increase in inquiries has come, in part, because of new findings* showing that the use of Paxil may be putting pregnant mothers at higher risk of having an infant with birth defects.

Paxil is one of the best-selling of the most recent class of anti-depressants, known as SSRIs. The medications moderate chemical messengers in the brain by blocking the reabsorption of the neurotransmitter serotonin.

Other popular SSRI anti-depressants include Zoloft, Lexapro, Prozac and Celexa.

"This recent study by respected researchers showing that the use of Paxil and some other SSRI anti-depressants during pregnancy is associated with increased risks of miscarriage, birth defects, preterm birth, newborn behavioral syndrome, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn and possible longer term neurobehavioral effects has caused families to contact us about their legal rights," said Resource4thePeople.

"In response to these contacts our lawyers are providing free consultations about the legal rights that these families may be eligible for in connection with compensation for pain and suffering, loss of wages, medical costs and other expenses attributed to factors that were not of their making."

Links between the use of anti-depressants such as Paxil and birth defects in mothers who used the medications while pregnant have been recognized by the Food and Drug Administration since 2005.**

Now, the latest medical research study about these side effects was recently published in the Human Reproduction Oxford Journal, January, 2013 edition,* which confirms fears of increased birth defect risks detailed in FDA health warning communications.

This finding comes directly from the article:

"Antidepressant use during pregnancy is associated with increased risks of miscarriage, birth defects, preterm birth, newborn behavioral syndrome, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn and possible longer term neurobehavioral effects. There is no evidence of improved pregnancy outcomes with antidepressant use."

These findings came in response to the research's study question: "What is the current literature on the safety and efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use in infertile women?"

Resource4thePeople notes that these concerns about increased risk of birth defects as a result of Paxil use also have been echoed by the Mayo Clinic, which posted the following warning about Paxil use by pregnant women:***

"Antidepressants and pregnancy: Some antidepressants may harm your unborn child if you take them during pregnancy or while you're breast-feeding. Paxil in particular appears to increase the risk of birth defects, including heart and lung problems. If you're taking an antidepressant and you're considering getting pregnant, talk to your doctor or mental health provider about the possible dangers. Don't stop taking your medication without contacting your doctor first."

Resource4thePeople also notes that one of the most recent Paxil birth defects lawsuits making such allegations was filed late last year..****

In that case a family is attributing the death of their baby daughter to a birth defect in her heart that the couple claim was caused by the use of Paxil and other anti-depressants by the mother during her pregnancy to fight depression, according to the court documents in the case.

"One of the important pieces of information we think that users of Paxil and other antidepressants should be aware of is the fact that Paxil's manufacturer, giant pharmaceutical GlaxoSmithKline, agreed to pay $3 billion to the federal government to settle allegations over its marketing and sales of Paxil and other products," said Resource4thePeople.

Information about this settlement***** is included on the Resource4thePeople web site, reflecting the U.S. Justice Department's announcement of what it described as massive health care fraud:

"GSK agreed to plead guilty to a three-count criminal information, including two counts of introducing misbranded drugs, Paxil and Wellbutrin, into interstate commerce and one count of failing to report safety data about the drug Avandia to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Under the terms of the plea agreement, GSK will pay a total of $1 billion, including a criminal fine of $956,814,400 and forfeiture in the amount of $43,185,600. The criminal plea agreement also includes certain non-monetary compliance commitments and certifications by GSK’s U.S. president and board of directors.

"GSK will also pay $2 billion to resolve its civil liabilities with the federal government under the False Claims Act, as well as the states. The civil settlement resolves claims relating to Paxil, Wellbutrin and Avandia, as well as additional drugs, and also resolves pricing fraud allegations."